A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER has donned a tracksuit and 'bling' to spearhead the latest under-age drinking campaign.

'Chav' Edith Heslop, 83, is the star of billboard posters that will be placed on bus shelters across the borough by the council.

She will be dressed like a street teenager on the poster which will bear the caption: 'Teenagers are looking older all the time - always ask for photo ID before selling alcohol to young people'.

Sprightly Edith, who goes ballroom dancing three times a week, agreed to model for the campaign because she feels so strongly about under-age drinking.

"It's shocking that some shopkeepers do not check the ages of the young people to whom they sell alcohol. Their actions are causing misery for people in their neighbourhoods who have to live with the bad behaviour of young people who have been drinking," she said.

"When I went to the shop to have the pictures taken I was surprised by all the attractive, brightly-coloured drinks that I didn't know existed and must be so appealing to younger people."

But Edith, who lives off Mossley Road, Ashton is not 'down' on young people.

"I have a great regard for young people that I have met. Near where I live they are very helpful and polite; if they see me with my shopping they always ask if they can help," she said.

Tameside Council's licensing team regularly carries out test purchases at shops and off-licences in the borough.

In the last eight months they have carried out more than 100 test purchases in Tameside - a quarter of retailers sold alcohol to the test purchasers. Shopkeepers in Tameside face fines of £1,000 if caught selling alcohol to minors.